Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello all
I'm Tony and I work in Rome, Italy for FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN) in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Dept. I've been here in Italy for almost 17 years - all the time in the same department.
I really like BYAP for all the friendly people that are here. I've been lurking here for a while - studying AP systems. I've decided to build my own system this summer. I really like the look of Ian's DIY IBC system so I am going to be modeling mine after his. I am sure that my wife will appreciate it more also - and keeping her happy is a priority
I am searching for an IBC here in Rome and I may be able to get one soon. I've never seen any in Rome but I know they're available in Milan because I finally located an online dealer.
Here in Rome, there are temperature concerns for the fish. It's too cold for Tilapia and too hot for trout. I may have to settle on Carp or Catfish. I want a fish that is edible.
Anyway, I wanted to say hello and thanks in advance for any advice that I'll be receiving from this forum. I am looking forward to chatting with some of you.
All the best from Rome, Tony

Welcome to the forum Tony

Your aquaculture knowledge will be very welcomed amoung us.

p.s. we love pics!

G'day Tony

Welcome to the forum - I hope you find that IBC and many more.

I think you picked a good person to follow with regard to Ian - he's a very clever guy

G'day Tony....

Nice to see another person from Italy here, and a well qualified one as well when it comes to aquaponics subjects and feeding people.

If you liked the look of Ians system, you might also like Fordy's system, most wives approve of something looking like this. viewtopic.php?f=18&t=12115

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

Thanks also for the information about Fordy's system - very impressive! I agree that my wife would certainly appreciate that.

I'm not an aquaculturist but I work with many scientists that are experts in all aspects of aquaculture (species, diseases, policy, fishmeal research, etc.) so I have good resources (as well as the FI library here). My specialty is in assisting developing countries with implementing statistical systems for estimating fishing activity.

I'll certainly be posting pictures of my AP system as it is being worked on to keep you informed and maybe get some suggestions along the way.

Ciao from Rome, Tony

Is this to better control fishing activity or more so data collection to/and develop programs aimed at fishing for the future?

thanks

Hi Tony!
The Italian group keeps expanding (italian as in "from Italy" in your case, hehe)
I'm a little of a Tony myslef as my name is Antonio, and I'm from Italy too.

I visit Rome very often as two of my closest friends live there.
Next time I'll be sure to drop a PM!

You are right about your temperatures, of course, but actually it isn't too cold for tilapia or too hot for trout strictly speaking (as this last winter clearly shows): it's the temperate climate, actually, which I have too.

It's too cold for tilapia year round, and it's too hot for trout year round, but it's my belief that if you could somewhat shade the fish tank and get trout fingerlings in say October, you could have a decent harvest in March!

Btw there is NO way you are going to find tilapia readily available in Italy anyway.

A few other italian-oriented thoughts I had were
- flathead mullets
- pumpkinseed sunfish/panfish (lepomis gibbosus)

Cheers!

Welcome Tony when I first came aboard I got a lot of help so i'm glad to pass it on.

Welcome Tony. If you need any further details about my systems just ask, I'm more than happy to help

Cheers

PS my wife will be in Rome in 2 weeks if you are looking for someone to convince your wife with respect to your ap plans.

Hello all,
Thanks for all the warm welcomes - especially the fellow members in Italy. It's great to know other BYAP members that are close by Thanks also for the offers of help - they are most appreciated.

First - the great news... I bought an IBC (2nd hand) on EBay and I will be picking it up this Friday. It's in perfect condition and it was used for shipping de-mineralized water! Here's a picture of it. How's that for luck?

So - I will hopefully be in the market for some live fish down the line. I am thinking about Carp. What species are the Italy AP experts using and where should I get them from? Any suggestions?

Thanks for any advice.
Ciao from Rome, Tony

Welcome mate,

I look forward to watching your system and thread grow.

Have you thought about perch? taste great and very very hardy